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Old 08-04-2010, 03:24 PM
 
Location: Las Vegas
14,229 posts, read 30,050,174 times
Reputation: 27689

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I don't watch TV much so I got rid of cable. Partly because I read a thread here about decent HD reception over the air. I got some RCA HD 'rabbit ears'. Actually it's about the same size and thickness as a legal pad.

What am I doing wrong? I can't pick up any network channel and I get a bunch of strange stations I've never seen before. I was sort of hoping to get the local news and weather. Maybe a baseball game now and then.

Advice? Do I need something on the rooftop?

Thanks!

Last edited by yellowsnow; 08-04-2010 at 03:24 PM.. Reason: spelling
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Old 08-04-2010, 03:32 PM
 
2,457 posts, read 4,726,201 times
Reputation: 1406
Channel 3 KSNV and 33.1 KVCW are the only two stations I have issues with. Try adjusting the antenna to a wide V shape and try pointing it towards Henderson depending on where you live.
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Old 08-04-2010, 04:07 PM
 
109 posts, read 312,447 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mojavedxer View Post
Channel 3 KSNV and 33.1 KVCW are the only two stations I have issues with. Try adjusting the antenna to a wide V shape and try pointing it towards Henderson depending on where you live.

I live off Stephanie and Warm Springs, I get most of the channels except channel 3.
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Old 08-04-2010, 05:13 PM
 
2,036 posts, read 4,246,510 times
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You may want to consider an amplified model. They don't cost much more. Signal strength is attenuated a lot more from things like buildings at HD freqs.
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Old 08-04-2010, 06:07 PM
 
11,177 posts, read 16,030,820 times
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I can't help you with the reception issue, but since you don't watch much tv anyway, why not just watch what you want on the networks' own websites or other shows on Hulu. As for sporting events, I used to watch football games on justin tv when a particular game wasn't being shown in my area and I didn't feel like heading out to a sports bar.
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Old 08-04-2010, 07:43 PM
 
Location: Henderson
1,110 posts, read 1,910,842 times
Reputation: 1039
Default TV Reception

Quote:
Originally Posted by yellowsnow View Post
I don't watch TV much so I got rid of cable. Partly because I read a thread here about decent HD reception over the air. I got some RCA HD 'rabbit ears'. Actually it's about the same size and thickness as a legal pad.

What am I doing wrong? I can't pick up any network channel and I get a bunch of strange stations I've never seen before. I was sort of hoping to get the local news and weather. Maybe a baseball game now and then.

Advice? Do I need something on the rooftop?

Thanks!
I remember on an older post and someone mentioned you need a VHF antenna. If someone has a particular brand or model number that picks up the local stations, please share.
sk
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Old 08-04-2010, 07:53 PM
 
Location: Las Vegas
14,229 posts, read 30,050,174 times
Reputation: 27689
It is an amplified antenna. Or at least it said it was. There isn't anything you can spread out to a V shape. It looks like a black plastic legal pad.
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Old 08-04-2010, 08:04 PM
 
2,036 posts, read 4,246,510 times
Reputation: 3201
The antenna elements are located inside the unit. Try and find an antenna with a very high gain (measured dBi) and preferably powered. You may want to consider taking the one you purchased back in favor of an outdoor unit or one with a higher gain rating. Outdoor antennas complicate installation quite a bit. Some antennas advertise their reception range in miles, so pay close attention to that as well.

If you go the outdoor route, find a directional antenna and point it towards black mountain and see how it goes. Digital reception can be a challenge depending on where you are in the valley.
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Old 08-04-2010, 09:09 PM
 
Location: Tucson for awhile longer
8,869 posts, read 16,328,339 times
Reputation: 29240
I just bought a new laptop and noticed when I was shopping that a new (at least new to me) model of mini 'puter has been created just for the purpose of hooking it up to a TV, so you can bypass the need for cable or satellite. There is even a mention of two models on p. 32 of the current issue of Consumer Reports (Sept. 2010). Apple is, of course, the most expensive; it has a built-in DVD player, WiFi connection, recorder, etc., etc.

I guess it works the same as hooking any computer up to your TV for viewing as MadMan has suggested. But the beauty of this is once it's connected it stays connected and your laptop is still free for other purposes.

Here are two much cheaper-than-Mac models:

HP Mini 1000 Netbook
HP Mini Netbooks

Lenovo IdeaCentre Q110
Lenovo IdeaCentre Q110 3016 1DU Mini PC - Intel Atom 230 1.6GHz, 2GB DDR2, 320GB HDD, HDMI, Windows 7 Home Premium at TigerDirect.com

Note: There is a Q100 with 1GB that is about $100 cheaper. These don't play DVDs as the Apple does, you would still need a DVD player for that.
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Old 08-04-2010, 10:24 PM
 
3,622 posts, read 5,597,566 times
Reputation: 4322
I have a friend who does this and it works great- well until Hulu starts charging. I love Hulu although what they offer changes. Sometimes you can only see a selection of episodes, (like the first 10 of a season.) I think the best method is to watch the episode or what you want to watch no later than one day after so you can avoid missing it.
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